Santino Bankal sentenced to 22 months’ jail over crash that killed Ashleigh Gason in Brighton East

A DISQUALIFIED and “inhumane” motorist who fled the scene of a fiery car crash that killed a young motorcyclist will spend at least the next 22 months in jail.

A DISQUALIFIED and “inhumane” driver who fled the scene of a fiery car crash that killed a young motorcyclist will spend at least the next 22 months in jail.

Santino Bankal, 29, sentenced in the County Court after pleading guilty to failing to stop and render assistance following the Brighton East smash on July 7 last year, which left Ashleigh Gason, 21, dead.

Bankal also pleaded guilty to driving an unregistered vehicle while on a suspended learner’s permit.

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The Sudanese refugee had only months before the Nepean Highway crash had his learner’s permit suspended after being caught drink-driving, the court heard, and was serving a community corrections order.

Mr Gason died when his motorcycle burst into flames on impact with Bankal’s car.

Crash scene investigators found he had been doing at least 112km/h and had braked heavily just before the collision.

Bankal left the scene, originally telling police he had not seen Mr Gason lying in the middle of the road on fire, but later admitted he was “shocked and overwhelmed” and didn’t know what to do when he saw the flames.

Victim impact statements from 13 of Mr Gason’s friends and family described their “constant heartache and sorrow” at his death.

The family of Ashleigh Gason, 21, were left devastated.

His father, Mark Gason, said his “future had become meaningless and without purpose” since the loss of his son, who was just three months into his mechanical plumbing apprenticeship.

In sentencing Bankal, Judge Susan Pullen said nothing would ever “be enough for Ashleigh’s parents, extended family and friends”.

“Your failure to render assistance was inhumane, callous and cowardly,” she said.

“The facts in this case are most serious and disturbing.

“The only appropriate disposition involved a term of imprisonment with a non-parole period.”

Bankal was sentenced to three years and four months’ jail, with a minimum of 22 months.

He was also fined $200 for driving an unregistered car and disqualified from obtaining a licence for six years.

Fleeing the scene of an accident carries a maximum 10 year jail sentence.

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